Junior Strings

Junior Strings meets every Thursday after school for pupils who play String instruments at Grades 1-4. Come along and enjoy playing a great selection of music. Everyone has fun in practices and we show off our skills performing at Christmas and the Spring Concerts. We play everything from Baroque to Rock!

Despite the ongoing ‘strangeness’ and uncertainty of this academic year, Junior Strings continued to meet as normal, socially distanced of course, every Thursday afternoon from 3.30 – 4.15pm. Under the leadership of Mr. Thompson Junior Strings is a great group for Years 8-10 to showcase their musical talent and enjoy making music where everyone is welcome.

The year always gets underway with a few fun pieces to allow us to experience what it’s like to be part of an orchestra and get everyone playing together, showing how all the parts come together to produce a complete piece of music. Usually, as the Christmas holidays approach, we are excited to join with the Junior Wind band to perform at the school’s internal Carol Service. Alas, restrictions at the time meant that this was not possible but there was no way we were going to waste all our hard work and practice! So with a few Santa hats and tinsel adorned music stands (and even a Christmas tree or two!) the Junior Orchestras came together to record ‘Walking in the Air’ which was subsequently posted on Social Media for everyone to enjoy – not just the pupils and staff! It really put us in the Christmas spirit! At the start of the year we also had the privilege of playing for the Education Minister, Michelle McIlveen when she popped in during a practice while visiting the school.

One of the main highlights on the school calendar has always been the Annual Spring Concert held in The Braid. This year was the first time since 2019 that it could take place and as a result, despite me being in Year 10, this was my first Spring Concert! Bringing together the vast musical talent from the whole school, the event showcases all the hard work and dedication of the pupils and staff in two nights of concerts. As Junior Strings we performed a movement from one of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos – a fast moving piece of Baroque music – before joining with the Junior WInd Band and performing the more modern ‘Can you feel the love tonight?’ and ‘Don’t stop believing’ as the Junior Orchestra, both pieces well known by our audience.

Junior Strings is a fun group where all degrees of experience and ability are welcome. It’s a great place to make both music and friends and contribute to the life of the school. None of this would be possible without Mr. Thompson, whose enthusiasm and dedication makes Junior Strings the best place to be on a Thursday afternoon! As well as Mr. Thompson our thanks are also due to Ms. Durston for her continued support and contribution throughout the year. Junior Strings wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the pupils who faithfully turn up each week armed with their instruments, practising their parts and having a good time. I have enjoyed every second of my time in Junior Strings and can’t believe where the time has gone. The last 3 years have been a mixed time because of COVID, with periods of no meeting, cancelled performances, restrictions on activities, and virtual events, so it was great to have a bit more normality towards the end of this school year that allowed me to experience the Spring Concert as my time with Junior Strings draws to a close. Thank you for a great year!

Olivia Moody Year 10